Thanks in part to generous donations from Purdue Pharma Canada and Pfizer Canada Inc., the nearly one in five Nova Scotians suffering from chronic pain will continue to benefit from a provincial network of trained primary care providers. Each organization contributed $130,000 each, for a total of $260,000.

The Nova Scotia Chronic Pain Collaborative Care Network, which began as a pilot program in July 2008,brings together skilled pain / addiction practitioners (i.e. the mentor) and a group of primary care
providers (i.e. the mentees) for the purpose of education and clinical support. The goal of the network is to improve patient care and reduce wait times for chronic pain patients.

“Some patients are now able to be seen by their family physician, receive treatment and not need to visit the pain management centre at the QEII. Other patients still need the referral, but now they are receiving immediate care and attention before they visit the centre,” explains Dr. Peter MacDougall, physician at Capital Health and director of the NSCPCCN. 

In addition to enhancing the existing network, the collective funds from Purdue Pharma Canada and Pfizer Canada will be used to expand the NSCPCCN across the province and into the Maritimes.

Photo: (L-R standing) Dr. Cornelia Hentzsch, president, Purdue Pharma Canada; Deputy Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin McNamara, Province of Nova Scotia; Dr. Peter MacDougall, physician, Capital Health and director of the NSCPCCN; and (seated) Denis Lafl amme, director, government affairs, Pfizer Canada Inc.